What is the ruling on uttering the intention for circumambulation (tawaf), and on the extreme crowding in order to reach the Black Stone?

Common mistakes in Tawaf include uttering the intention verbally, excessive crowding at the Black Stone and the Yemeni Corner, believing that kissing the Stone is a condition for the validity of Tawaf, kissing the Yemeni Corner, wiping the Black Stone or the Yemeni Corner with the left hand, believing that wiping them brings blessings, and dedicating a specific supplication to each circuit.

Uttering the intention verbally is an innovation (bid'ah) that the Prophet, peace be upon him, did not do. Likewise, excessive crowding at the Black Stone and the Yemeni Corner is not legislated. It is sunnah to point to the Black Stone when there is crowding, but not to the Yemeni Corner. As for kissing the Black Stone, it is a sunnah and not a condition for the validity of Tawaf. Kissing the Yemeni Corner has not been authentically reported from the Prophet, peace be upon him.

One must wipe the Black Stone and the Yemeni Corner with the right hand. The purpose of this is to glorify Allah Almighty and to emulate the Prophet, peace be upon him, and not to seek blessings from the stones, for they neither harm nor benefit.

Dedicating a specific supplication to each circuit is an innovation that was not reported from the Prophet, peace be upon him. Muslims are permitted to supplicate with whatever they wish during Tawaf, for the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Indeed, Tawaf around the House, and between Safa and Marwah, and the throwing of the pebbles were prescribed for the establishment of the remembrance of Allah."

Whoever falls into these mistakes, if they are ignorant and unaware of their ruling, then there is no sin upon them. However, for one who knows and does it intentionally, or an ignorant person who is negligent in asking, they are sinful.